Meteor Accelerating towards the Earth

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the height of a meteor above the Earth's surface, given its mass and acceleration due to gravity. Using the formula r=√(G*ME/g), the calculated distance from the center of the Earth is approximately 7.4 million meters. Subtracting the Earth's radius results in a height of about 1.06 million meters, or 1060 km, above the surface. A key point raised is that the mass of the meteor is unnecessary for this calculation. Overall, the solution appears to be correct, confirming the calculations made.
HarleyM
Messages
56
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



a 12 kg meteor experiences an acceleration of 7.2 m/s^2, when faling towards the earth.

How high above the Earths surface is the meteor?


Homework Equations


mass of earth= 5.98x1024 kg
radius of earth= 6.36x106 m

g=G*MEarth/r2

r=√G*ME/g



The Attempt at a Solution



r=√G*ME/g
=√(6.67x10-11)(5.98x1024)/(7.2)
=7.4x106 m

7.4x106-6.36x106
=1.06 x106 m above the Earths surface, or 1060 km?

Does everything look good? Thanks in advance for any help!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
This looks OK.
Did you realize you did not need the mass of the meteor in the calculation??
 
Thread 'Collision of a bullet on a rod-string system: query'

Thread 'Collision of a bullet on a rod-string system: query'

In this question, I have a question. I am NOT trying to solve it, but it is just a conceptual question. Consider the point on the rod, which connects the string and the rod. My question: just before and after the collision, is ANGULAR momentum CONSERVED about this point? Lets call the point which connects the string and rod as P. Why am I asking this? : it is clear from the scenario that the point of concern, which connects the string and the rod, moves in a circular path due to the string...
View full post »

Similar threads

Question: What force will a 30 kg meteor experience at the same altitude?
Replies
3
Views
2K
A 12 kg meteor experiences an acceleration of 7.2 m/s^2....
Replies
7
Views
3K
Meteor Gravitational Field Question
Replies
1
Views
1K
How high above the the earth's surface is the meteor?
Replies
10
Views
5K
How High Is a Meteor When It Accelerates Toward Earth?
Replies
4
Views
3K
Calculating the mass of the Earth
Replies
2
Views
1K
When do I include the Earth's radius in questions involving satellites?
Replies
5
Views
2K
Gravitational Field Strength at the equator and poles
Replies
23
Views
3K
How fast should the Earth spin for centripital accel. to equal gravity?
Replies
8
Views
2K
How Does Apparent Weight Change for an Astronaut Near the Moon?
Replies
5
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top